Allen & Overy and Shearman & Sterling have announced that UAE-based Khalid Garousha will lead the combined firm as its first senior partner.
The firms are set to merge on May 1, 2024, with Garousha, who is currently A&O’s interim global managing partner, to assume the role then.
“I am honored that the partnership has put its trust in me to lead A&O Shearman as its first senior partner,” said Garousha in a statement.
Meanwhile, Hervé Ekué, who is the managing partner of A&O’s Paris office, has been elected as managing partner of A&O Shearman.
Shearman’s current senior partner, Adam Hakki, has been appointed co-chair of the global A&O Shearman board and executive committee, and will also lead the firm’s US business as its chair.
Shearman’s global managing partner, Doreen Lilienfeld, will serve as co-managing partner of the US business.
The appointments take effect from May 1, 2024.
Additional senior and other leadership appointments will be drawn from both firms and announced in due course, according to a joint announcement from the firms.
“Working closely with Hervé, Adam, Doreen, and other senior leadership, as A&O Shearman we will take forward our combined expertise and deep legal knowledge to achieve unparalleled outcomes for our clients on their increasingly complex legal and commercial challenges, wherever they and we operate in the world,” added Garousha.
Ekué said: “I look forward to working as managing partner of A&O Shearman with Khalid, Adam and Doreen to create an environment which embraces and values our people and enables them to grow, thrive and flourish both as individuals and as part of this transformational new firm.”
Garousha was A&O’s regional managing partner for the Middle East and Turkey prior to becoming interim global managing partner following the resignation of Gareth Price in July 2023.
He has been in the UAE for the entire duration of his time at the Magic Circle firm, and is currently based in the Abu Dhabi office. The corporate M&A specialist joined A&O as an associate in 2000 and became a partner in 2004.
He was up against two London-based partners and heavyweight practice heads for the top job: Philip Bowden, leveraged finance partner and co-head of the firm’s global banking practice, and David Lee, chair of the global projects, energy, natural resources and infrastructure.
He follows Wim Dejonghe, who was also global managing partner before his elevation to senior partner in 2016. “I’m delighted to pass the leadership baton to Khalid, Hervé, Adam and Doreen on May 1, and I wish them all every success in their new roles at A&O Shearman,” said Dejonghe in a statement.
News of the merger between A&O and Shearman was first reported in May last year. In October, it received the green light to go ahead when 99% of partners at both firms approved the plans.
A&O Shearman is set to become the third largest law firm in the world, with combined revenues of approximately $3.4 billion and 3,950 lawyers across 48 offices.
